How to Source a Luxury Wedding Planner for Opulent "I Dos"

Luxury is subjective, but when it comes to weddings, you know it when you see it. It might manifest as a splashy, champagne-soaked affair that gives Gatsby-level grandeur or as refined quiet-luxury nuptials where crystal clinks over a table draped in fine linens and elevated cuisine. A luxury wedding planner is a must, no matter what incarnation you're after. These professionals have the experience and skill to execute a high-end wedding as well as a robust rolodex of vendors (perhaps a Dom Pérignon supplier on speed dial).

All wedding planners are talented in their own right, but it's wise to choose a seasoned pro who specializes in throwing lavish weddings and is used to large budgets. That said, what makes a wedding planner luxury is less to do with money and more synonymous with taste. Below, learn the definition of a luxury wedding planner and how to find one for yourself.

In this article: Definition | Cost | What to Look for | How to Find One

What's a Luxury Wedding Planner?

A luxury wedding planner is a professional that provides a high and complete level of service, one that allows you to feel like a guest at your own wedding. These vendors often work with high budgets, have a distinct taste level, can tap a vendor network that knows and respects their reputation, and might only take on six to eight couples per year to offer each one a bespoke, individualized experience.

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"Luxury wedding planners provide several distinct services that set them apart from typical planners," says Lynn Easton, creative director and co-founder of Easton Porter Group, a 25-year event industry pro and a luxury wedding planner at Easton Events in Charleston, South Carolina. "One key difference is personalized design and styling—they create a cohesive aesthetic tailored to the couple's unique vision and personality as a pair. Luxury planners also have access to exclusive venues and a carefully curated list of top-tier vendors, ensuring that every element of the wedding meets the most discerning standards, including their own." In addition, luxury wedding planners are incredibly high touch when it comes to logistics, so you won't have to lift a finger in terms of transportation, vendor coordination and other managerial details.

Luxury Wedding Planner Cost

If you're wondering how much a luxury wedding planner costs, don't forget that their fee accounts for a much more hands-on relationship. According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, the national average wedding planner cost comes in at $2,100. Just as a standard wedding planner's fee will vary depending on their business needs and location, the overall cost for a luxury wedding planner will depend on the individual. You can get an idea of how much of your wedding budget should go toward a wedding planner with The Knot Budget Advisor, plus see breakdowns from couples in your region as well as vendor recommendations based on your desired spend.

One luxury wedding planner, Haroun Events, hopped on the r/BigBudgetBrides Reddit thread to shed some light on an ultra-luxury wedding planner's potential price structure: Many luxury wedding planners will charge 15% to 20% of your overall budget (whatever the final number is) to account for any unanticipated increases in their scope of work throughout the planning process. These percentages might have a minimum budget specified, which could likely range anywhere from $150K to over $300K in some areas. Others may charge a flat fee (typically around $80K or more) or a flat fee in combination with a budget percentage. Make getting a grasp on price structure a priority as you hash out how much to budget for your luxury wedding and think up questions to ask potential planners.

Staffing and travel fees will also likely factor into the final number postfee and, sometimes, billing for other vendors will too. For example, the best luxury wedding planners will provide design services themselves and have a slate of go-to vendors (like decor rentals) and providers that they will bill on their own.

What to Look for in a Luxury Wedding Planner

Yes, all luxury wedding planners will have experience with large budgets and also have an excellent eye for style. But just because a pro pulled off, say, a stunning soiree like Paris Hilton's wedding or at one of the most expensive places to get married, doesn't mean they're the best fit for your aesthetic or planning personality. Consider the following before you start your search:

Effortless Communication and Organization

There's nothing more luxurious than a wedding planner who actually makes complicated or tedious planning tasks more manageable, so look for a planner with a resonant communication style and concrete means to simplify planning logistics. Of course all wedding planners will help take a few things off of your plate, but a top luxury wedding planner will genuinely prioritize your sense of calm.

"While any planner can work with high-budget couples, a luxury wedding planner brings a thoughtful, high-touch approach that prioritizes the client experience and allows couples to move through the planning process with ease and peace of mind, knowing their event team has outlined Plan A, B, C and D," says Easton. "Pay attention to their communication style—great planners are even better listeners, and are responsive to your ideas and concerns. Share with them the aspects of the wedding you would like to prioritize and discuss budget transparency early on to ensure clarity between both parties."

Easton and her seasoned team also allow couples to access custom-built tools to make their planning process more personalized, streamlined and stress free. "This level of organization and accessibility defines luxury wedding planning, allowing us to maintain exacting standards, while fostering strong communication (and relationships) with our clients," Easton says.

Exceptional Taste and a True Design Background

Prioritize a luxury wedding planner that has a genuine background in design and an elevated taste level. These individuals will also come with a network of exclusive vendors as well as access to unique pieces and services to further enhance an event's individuality.

"A luxury wedding planner must possess a sophisticated taste level to create truly one-of-a-kind events, and this involves a deep understanding of design principles and current trends, along with a keen eye for detail," says Easton.

Part of what levels up a wedding planner into the luxury category is the ability to take a seed of inspiration that you have—even something as small as an embroidered tablecloth from your grandmother with a color palette you love—and create an entire event around the spirit of that detail. You don't have to scour the dictionary for words to describe the feeling you'd like to evoke, or wake up with a sore thumb from scrolling Pinterest into the wee hours (unless you want to, of course). A luxury wedding planner with a design background will meet you where you are to execute your vision.

"Having a luxury planner at the helm of your event means you have a professional who is able to skillfully blend colors, textures and patterns into a cohesive vision that reflects your personality," says Easton. "Drawing inspiration from art, fashion and travel, we infuse diverse ideas into the wedding design, ensuring each element feels personalized and thoughtfully considered."

Flexibility and Appetite for Risk

Even with the most sought-after luxury wedding planners, there are still times when things go wrong or don't work out as planned (such is the wedding business). Look for a planner with ample on-the-ground experience and the adaptability to navigate any last-minute curveballs. Because, especially in the luxury realm, no wedding is the same or presents the same challenges. "Becoming an expert in this field requires a significant investment of time and effort," says Easton. "To succeed, you must possess drive, humility, perseverance and grit—you can't be afraid of taking risks."

Speaking of risks, a planner who's willing to push the envelope is a great thing in the luxury sphere. These are the crème de la crème of professionals, so they'll have a few unique ideas in their arsenal that they've been ruminating on and are dying to bring to life. If you don't mind relinquishing a little control (some couples might welcome it), a luxury wedding planner that's not afraid of experimentation could make for a wedding more wow worthy than you anticipated.

Aesthetic and Vision Match

"While elite planners can execute weddings across various aesthetics, each will have a unique signature touch woven throughout their work," says Easton. "We specialize in tented destination events that have a residential feel to them, making guests feel right at home from the moment they arrive for the ceremony to when they are whisked away at the end of the evening." The best way to determine if you and your planner are an aesthetic match is to peruse their portfolio. From there, you can identify unique, bespoke touches that suit your style from previous weddings they've planned—like a cocktail hour timed perfectly at sunset.

Consequently, a luxury wedding planner that fits your vibe will also know the best vendors in your location that also share your desired wedding look and feel. "We work with a highly curated list of vendors—literally the best at what they do—to ensure that every detail is exceptional," says Easton. "Carefully curated moments and bespoke experiences elevate the celebration, while personal touches and exquisite details make these weddings timeless, allowing couples to look back years later and feel their celebration was truly classic."

Trust and Personal Connection

Research and referrals go a long way to reassure a couple that a certain luxury planner is a dependable professional, but there's also another layer of trust and connection that comes into play—a spark you just feel during your initial meeting. "A personal connection is crucial," says Easton. "You want to feel comfortable and understood by your planner, as having a shared vision and collaborative approach will help bring your unique vision to life. During your initial meetings, ask how many weddings they plan per year, as this will provide insight into how much attention and time they can dedicate to your celebration." This level of trust is paramount with a luxury wedding planner (which comes at a high cost) in particular—you should feel in your heart that you can truly rely on them.

How to Find a Luxury Wedding Planner

Now that you've nailed down what to look for, it's time to figure out how to find a wedding planner that can bring an elevated feel to your nuptials. Start in the wedding planner section of The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Once you input your location, head over to the "Price" filter and check the "Luxury" box to view pros that have experience working with luxury wedding venues and can provide that high level of taste and service. Additionally, you can set filters regarding culture-based weddings and specific planning services.

"Luxury weddings often showcase exclusive venues and tasteful decor that reflect a couple's style, drawing inspiration from travels, fashion and art," says Easton. "Every element, from the floor finish to the linen draping, is thoughtfully composed to create a truly unforgettable experience."